The Debut Issue of Spartan Magazine Is LIVE. This Is What's Inside, and Why You Need It
When we were sitting in our New York City office in 2019 — back when we were lucky enough to go into an office, pre-COVID times — we sat in conference rooms and wrestled with how best to tell the entire Spartan story in just under 50 pages.
The training. The history. The inspirational and transformational stories. The pros. The mindset. The gear. The coaches. The extreme wellness.
How could we give all of them their proper due in a single issue? Naturally, we were unable to tell the entire Spartan story in fewer than 50 pages — despite our fervent attempts, it just wasn't possible — but we're proud to say that we came pretty close. The debut issue of Spartan Magazine examines all of the aforementioned Spartan topics and tenets in great detail, with exhaustive research and reporting that gives readers the full scope of what it truly means to be a Spartan, in every facet of one's life.
DOWNLOAD NOW: Issue 001 of Spartan Magazine
After reading, the hope and belief is that you'll be a more confident and capable racer and an overall healthier individual, with an increased motivation to live the Spartan lifestyle. Our mission is to equip you with the tools you need to succeed in everything you do, on the course and off.
You can download the full issue here. Not sure where to get started? We've selected six articles that are absolute must-reads. If you're going to read anything — we recommend reading everything — make it these six.
Decode: A Glossary
Part of being a Spartan is speaking the language. And at first, that language can be a bit daunting. From varied race types to Spartan-specific gear to badass rallying cries to obstacle shorthand to Joe-isms, Spartan speak is no joke. It's a real thing, and if you want to live the Spartan lifestyle to the fullest, it would behoove you to be fluent in it. This handy little dictionary will have you sounding like a Spartan pro or Joe De Sena in no time, and you'll never be confused or intimidated on the course again.
Anatomy of an OCR Athlete
What makes a GREAT OCR athlete? Well, a lot of things, and that's what makes our sport so special. There is no one OCR prototype. Spartans come in all shapes and sizes, but there are definitely certain attributes and skills that help you separate yourself from the competition. Some of our elite racers offered their two cents on what is required to stand out on the course, and you can pick and choose from their advice and wisdom to take your racing game to the next level.
Become Unbreakable
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, our collective mission has been to help humans become unbreakable. What does that mean, exactly? It means safeguarding your human machine and fine-tuning it until it becomes immovable and impenetrable, to prepare you for anything and everything that comes your way. We've outlined nine simple, straightforward exercises that are proven to make you stronger. Joe did these religiously in the morning when he was quarantined, and he'll be doing them for the rest of his life. As is the Spartan way, you can do them anywhere and no equipment is needed.
Original Gangsters
In a little over a decade, Spartan has built a comprehensive, robust history and a rich tradition. How did we get there? It's because, in large part, of the remarkable athletes that put Spartan and OCR on the map in their infancies. Such legends as Hobie Call, Hunter McIntyre, and Isaiah Vidal played integral roles in growing the sport's popularity and getting it noticed in the mainstream sports world. Learn what they did — and continue to do, in some cases — to cement themselves as Spartan icons. We are always looking for the next great racer, but we'll never forget the true originals.
Extreme Wellness
Proper fitness and nutrition are, of course, incredibly important and necessary to live the Spartan lifestyle. They're not the be-all and end-all, though. They are two pieces of the puzzle. The third piece is wellness. Your wellness is essential to your overall well-being and productivity, and as Spartans, we practice extreme wellness. What does that mean? Extreme meditation, prescription nature, and cold showers are just some of the techniques we swear by. Follow our extreme wellness guide to take both your body and your mind to the next level, and achieve more than you ever thought possible.
The Races Designed to Break You
You know how incredible it feels to cross the finish line of a Sprint, Super, or Beast? Multiply that by 1,000, and that's what it feels like to finish our extreme endurance events. Our standard OCR races are challenging, but these are next level. We're talking 60-plus hours of nonstop exertion, 100 miles on your feet, mountain biking from one country's coast to the other, and 60-plus obstacles, just to name a few of the insanely difficult challenges you're presented with. After you've finished one of these, you're truly a different person forever. Learn what makes them so grueling — both physically and mentally — straight from the brave souls that have mastered them.